Bodoland TC polls peaceful, good turnout

GUWAHATI, Assam: April 8 – The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) polls today recorded a 75 per cent turnout, maybe more as reports from a number of polling stations come in.

State Election Commissioner HN Bora said the polls were by and large peaceful with no major incidence of violence. “Till now the voters’ percentage is 75, but that will increase as reports from many areas are awaited,” he said.

Based on reports received till yesterday evening, Bora asaid that re-poll would probably be announced for three polling stations. “The polls were mostly peaceful as we have not received reports of any major law-and-order problem. This is because adequate security had been deployed for the BTC polls,” he added.

Inspector General of Police in charge of BTAD, LR Bishnoi told local media that no untoward incident was reported from any part of the BTAD. He said minor incidents were reported from only four polling stations, two in Udalguri and one each in Kokrajhar and Chirang districts. However, in two of the polling stations, there were technical problems regarding electoral rolls and there were minor incidents of attempts to snatch ballot papers in two.

Bishnoi asserted that the police and security forces would not lower their guard till the entire election process was over. Security personnel have been deployed in the strong rooms in the sub-divisional headquarters. In fact, the security arrangements are at par with the arrangements made during the Lok Sabha polls, he added.

Brisk, by and large peaceful polling, with a big turnout of voters, marked the scene across the twelve BTC segments in Kokrajhar. Polling was about 75 per cent. In rural areas of Kokrajhar women dressed in their traditional and colourful best, were enthusiastically queuing up outside the booths from 7 am, one hour before polling began. In urban areas too, women were seen in sizeable numbers outside the polling booths as they waited patiently to vote.

Altogether 5,85,971 voters (2,95,628 male and 2,90,343 female) cast votes from a pool of 88 candidates in Kokrajhar, while more than 20.64 lakh voters chose from 315 candidates in the entire BTAD.

A similar 75 per cent turnout was reported from 11 constituencies in Baska district in the 3rd BTC elections, which concluded peacefully. Voting was by and large peaceful barring few stray incidents. Baska Deputy Commissioner and Returning Officer Vinod Seshan said there were no reports of any untoward incident from any part of the district.

Repolling, if any, will be held on April 10 and counting of votes will take place on April 11.